AMPUTATION OF THE TAIL. 99 



the disease. Over the area of operation clip the hair, shave 

 and thoroughly disinfect. Apply the tourniquet or elastic 

 bandage at the base of the tail so as to render the operation 

 bloodless. 



Above the seat of operation turn the hair upward toward 

 the root of the tail and secure it there by means of the 

 bandage, B, Fig. i. I,ocate as accurately as possible the 

 position of a joint at the point where it is desired to oper- 

 ate and with the scalpel begin an incision on the median 

 line on the upper side of the organ about i cm. above the 

 articulation and carry this obliquely outward for a distance 

 of 4 to 6 cm. according to the size of the tail and then con- 

 tinue it downward, backward and inward along the side and 

 inferior surface until directly opposite to the place of begin- 

 ning. Make a similar incision upon the opposite side of the 

 tail, cut through all the connective tissue and muscles down 

 to the bone and then disarticulate with the aid of the scalpel. 

 Search for the arteries and control the hemorrhage by 

 torsion or ligation. The vessels will be more readily found 

 by loosening the tourniquet so as to permit the blood to flow. 



Some operators prefer to begin the incision at the side of 

 the tail instead of upon the dorsal surface and in that way 

 have a dorsal and ventral flap instead of right and left as 

 indicated in Fig. i . The excision having been completed the 

 flaps are brought together by means of strong silk or silk 

 worm gut sutures as shown in Fig. 2. The sutures should 

 be begun at the apex of the two flaps and comparatively 

 deep. 



Disinfect the stump thoroughly and if the hair is sufficient- 

 ly long it may be well to draw it down over the wound, to 

 which an antiseptic covering has been applied, and retain 

 it in position by tying a cord around the hair just beyond 

 the point of amputation. 



